Elizabeth George's Blog, page 30

Enjoying Homemaking

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Most women have, at some time in their life, kept a diary. I did. In fact, if my parents wanted to give me a “sure” Christmas gift, a diary always did it. And I actually took the time to write in them! To this day I am a journaller.

So, of course I’ve been greatly blessed by the treasure-of-a-book by Elizabeth Prentiss (1818–1878). It’s titled Stepping Heavenward, and spans the life of this nineteenth-century Christian woman from age 16 to her death. In it I’ve discovered the heart of a woman who struggled (just like you and me!) with spiritual growth and with answering God’s high callings upon her life. In the end, however, we witness her journey of heeding and answering His callings as she sought “More Love to Thee, O Christ” (as the hymn title she wrote so succinctly puts it).

The Heart of a Homemaker

Consider, for example, the entry below, which expresses the thoughts of a girl with no desire to ever marry. Yet her life was touched by a home...and its homemaker.

Aunty has six children of her own, and has adopted two. She [is]...full of fun and energy, flying about the house as on wings, with a kind, bright word for everybody. All her household affairs go on like clockwork; the children are always nicely dressed; nobody ever seems out of humor. Aunty is the central object around which everybody revolves; you can’t forget her a moment, for she is always doing something for you, and then her unflagging good humor and cheerfulness keep you good-humored and cheerful.

This is the sort of home I would like if I ever married. I would like to be just such a bright, loving wife as Aunty is, to have my husband lean on me as Uncle leans on her; to have just as many children, and to train them as wisely and kindly as she does hers. Then, indeed, I would feel that I had not been born in vain, but had a high and sacred mission on earth.

How About You?

Do you have a place you call home and people to love? Do you have a husband and children to nurture and serve? Do you have a home to “make”? And do you ever feel like you were “born in vain”?

Well, take it from the heart of Elizabeth Prentiss, who “got it” — the woman who answers her high callings from God to love husband and children and build a home (Proverbs 14:1) has “a high and sacred mission on earth.” When we take our homemaking seriously, it becomes a profession and a pursuit — and a passion — that speaks loudly and blesses many.

RESPOND

Dear Lord, I want to be the happy hub of my home. Help me nurture my heart with Your Word to sustain me to serve my family. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES  [image error]

A Woman's High Calling: 10 Ways to Live Out God's Plan for Your Life—Replace a life of survival with a life of meaningful accomplishment with this book (study guide included) for busy women like you! 

REFLECT
Do you take homemaking seriously?

REMEMBER

When we take our homemaking seriously, it becomes a profession and a pursuit — and a passion — that speaks loudly and blesses many.

"Little White Lies"

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I grew up in a small-town culture where the telling of “little white lies” had developed into an art form. You see, it was unacceptable and even considered bad manners to hurt anyone’s feelings. So, on occasion, one might need to stretch or bend the truth, or be purposefully vague, in order not to offend another person.

For instance, if a person you didn’t really want to spend time with asked if you two could get together, you would make up some story or reason why you couldn’t. 

Put Away Lying

Maybe you can imagine my difficulty when, at the age of 28, I became a Christian. Because I’d had some good teachers in truth-bending, I too had developed the fine art of the little white lie. Oh, they weren’t big or terrible lies, just little ones! My culture had provided models and examples for all those years, not to mention a very strong contribution made by my very own sin nature.

As I looked at what God had to say about life in my brand new Bible, I began to discover the Jesus way of living. There I read, “Putting away lying, let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). And best of all, in Jesus I had a new model, a perfect example for living a life of truthfulness.

Truthful at All Times

Truth—and truthfulness—is a golden quality. And it’s also timeless. It’s changeless because it is connected with the changeless character of God. God cannot lie. He has communicated utterly unchangeable truth to you in His Word. And because He is truthful, you can believe what He says to be the truth.

One of His promises was that He would send His Son, who also could not lie. Jesus was truthful at all times, even in the most difficult situations. He lived out truthfulness on a daily basis, moment by moment, and the Father was glorified by His consistent example. 

As a woman who loves Jesus, I’m sure you desire to honor Him with your behavior, and with the words of your mouth. You reflect Him and act like Him when you allow the truth that dwells in you to control your speech and your actions. When you live and speak the truth, no matter what, you will reap a multitude of blessings. For instance...

Truth sets you free while lies enslave you to sin.
Truth binds hearts together while deceit destroys relationships.
Truthfulness is supernatural while lying is an easy natural response.
Truthfulness points you heavenward while lying lowers you to the deceiver’s level.
Truthfulness is a grace that never goes out of style while lying leads only to disgrace.

RESPOND

Dear Lord of all grace and truth, thank You for speaking the truth so I can know You, believe in You, and trust You. You are the way, the truth, and the life. I pray that I will mature to the point that truthfulness becomes my way of life. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES   [image error]

A Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus - 30 Days to Christlike Character—Find a treasure trove of truths and applications that will enable you to follow well in the footsteps of Jesus. Pick up this book and study guide today!

REFLECT

This week, take note of every time you are tempted to lie and the reason why. Remember, Christians should be “putting away lying” (Ephesians 4:25). We are to put lying away, set it aside, rid ourselves of it, and have nothing to do with it, but “each one of you speak truth with his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25).

REMEMBER
A truthful woman will always be respected. And her honesty will always honor and glorify God.

How Can I Be Humble?

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How can you reflect a heart of humility? Is it by putting yourself down or by thinking you are of little worth? No, humility is not passive resignation. And it’s not the fine art of belittling yourself or others. It comes from knowing Christ and knowing your worth in Him. It takes place in the mind and heart and is referred to as “lowliness of mind” (Philippians 2:3). And it can and should be nurtured and cultivated...and reflected.

How Can I Be Humble?

A college student asked me, “How can I be more humble?” Believe me, this took some thought. But here are some of the answers I gave her.

Begin each day by reflecting on Christ’s great sacrifice on your behalf and considering your own sinfulness. When you follow this pattern, you will be humbled by the grace God has offered to you. Then, in response, humbly thank Jesus for modeling humility.


Next, make willful choices that give humility expression. For instance, talk less and listen more. (And definitely talk less about yourself!) Look for those who are suffering or alone, and reach out.


Wherever your day takes you, go to give and to serve as many people as you can. Volunteer to help clean up and set up—to wash feet! Commit yourself to a ministry that no one sees—cooking and baking for others at home, visiting shut-ins and those in hospitals, taking special meals to a cancer victim, cleaning an elderly saint’s home.



And here’s a biggie! Be a woman of prayer. Everything about prayer breeds humility. The posture of prayer is downward. Talking to God is humbling—He is holy. Worshiping and praising Him is humbling—He is bigger than you. Asking for God’s help with your problems and loved ones is humbling—you need His help.



Fasting too develops a knowledge of humility. Even the mere act of going without food or missing a meal weakens you physically, not to mention the extended time in prayer that usually accompanies a fast.

Think on Peter’s words: “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God” (1 Peter 5:6). How many ways can you humble yourself? Each day—and each act and word out of your mouth—is a fresh opportunity to cultivate Jesus’ humility as a character quality.

RESPOND

Lord, I read about Your humility and I am humbled to the core. Please help me to choose to wrap myself in the garment of humility, to focus not on myself but on others, to consider others as better than myself. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES [image error]

A Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus - 30 Days to Christlike Character—Find a treasure trove of truths and applications that will enable you to follow well in the footsteps of Jesus. Pick up this book and study guide today. 

REFLECT

The next time you go to a dinner party, potluck, or wedding shower, don’t think about who you are. Think instead on who Christ is and how He would act. Meditate on the fact that you are His, that you are His humble disciple.

Purpose to assist, serve, and encourage as many as you  can...and enjoy the event from the back of the room! 

REMEMBER

Humility is not passive resignation. And it’s not the fine art of belittling yourself or others. It comes from knowing Christ and knowing your worth in Him.

No More Nagging

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When we decided to do some remodeling in our little house, I was dead-set on a fireplace. I knew we didn’t have it budgeted, so I very cleverly made remarks like, “Wouldn’t this be the perfect evening for a fire in the fireplace? If we had one!” Or, “Just think, if we had a fireplace, we could have dinner in front of a roaring fire.”

Finally Jim said, “Elizabeth, are you helping or hindering?” Oops! I vowed to myself never to mention that fireplace again. I made it a matter of prayer so my attitude would change.

Poor Communication

What happens when you and I don’t communicate God’s way with our husbands? What results from a failure to pay attention to God’s wise guidelines for our speech? Proverbs shares a vivid word picture:  

“Better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman” (Proverbs 21:19).

“A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike” (Proverbs 27:15).

I’m sure you get the message—a nagging, argumentative, complaining, ill-tempered wife annoys her husband in the same way a con­stant drip gets on our nerves. Poor communication drives people away and isolates and divides us apart from our husband. So, let’s commit to speaking in ways described in Proverbs 25:11: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Great Communication

Words like apples of gold is speech that is priceless. Indescribable. Admirable. Exquisite. Desirable. This is what makes good communication … great! Here are several of God’s keys to godly speech. Your words are to be…

…soft. Our words affect those we are speaking to. Harsh, loud, rude tones and words lead to arguments, while gentle words bring peace. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

…sweet. If you’d like your point to be heard and understood, remember that “pleasant words promote instruction” and understanding (16:21 NIV).

…suitable. Kind, sweet words have a healing effect on both soul and body. “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24).

…scant. As a wise person once put it, “Sometimes the most skillful use of the tongue is keeping it still.” “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19).

…slow. Make it your aim to “listen much, speak little, and not become angry” (James 1:19 TLB)! No good ever comes from sinful anger.

How about it? Are you willing to give up the nagging? To be a helper instead of a hinderer? Think about what a difference you will make when you stop nagging and you start assisting your husband and your children and praying for them.

RESPOND

God, I confess that I often hinder the health and wholeness of my family because I am selfish and stubborn. Release me from this destructive sin so that I build up this family you have blessed me with. Amen.  

RENEWING RESOURCES [image error]

A Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus - 30 Days to Christlike Character—Find a treasure trove of truths and applications that will enable you to follow well in the footsteps of Jesus. Pick up this book and accompanying study guide today! 

REFLECT

Take notice of your tone you use when speaking to your family. Is it impatient, harsh, rude? What needs to change so your words are sweet and aid in great communication?

REMEMBER

If you’d like your point to be heard and understood, remember that “pleasant words promote instruction” and understanding (16:21 NIV).

Main Themes of the Book of Matthew

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Theme: The kingdom of God
Date: AD 60
Author: Matthew (Levi)
Setting: Palestine

Matthew, whose Jewish name is Levi, is a tax collector until Jesus calls him to become one of the 12 disciples. Now, more than 20 years since Jesus’ return to heaven (in Acts 1:9), the good news of Jesus has traveled. The Jewish Christians are starting to be persecuted, and Matthew wants to strengthen their faith and provide them with a useful tool for evangelizing.

He presents Jesus as Israel’s promised Messiah and rightful King. With the King comes His kingdom—the kingdom of heaven—which will be occupied by those who acknowledge and obey this King. 

Snapshots of Matthew

Chapters 1–4 Birth and Preparation of the King

Jesus is born of a virgin in fulfillment of prophecy. He is baptized and proclaimed by God as His Son. Jesus’ divine character is tested by the devil after 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. Jesus uses Old Testament scripture to counter the devil’s temptations. Having passed these tests, He begins His public ministry by preaching repentance and the coming kingdom of God.

Chapters 5–6 Sermon on the Mount

Jesus gathers His disciples by the Sea of Galilee and lays out for them the ethics for the kingdom of God. He emphasizes the importance of responding with a heart attitude that goes beyond merely observing a set of rules.

Chapters 7–20 Kingdom of God Proclaimed ...and Rejected

Through teaching, parables, and performing miracles, Jesus proclaims a new kingdom. He selects 12 disciples to share His message. The religious leaders reject Jesus and His message. Jesus foretells His impending death, resurrection, and second coming.

Chapters 21–25 Final Clashes with the Religious Leaders

Jesus enters into the city of Jerusalem where He confronts the religious leaders, cleanses the temple, and pronounces doom over the city which has rejected God’s way. He prophesies the future destruction of the temple, the coming days of tribulation and judgment, and His second coming.

Chapters 26–28 Death and Resurrection of Jesus, the King

Jesus is arrested, tried, and crucified in just several hours. Following His death Jesus is buried, but on the third day, He rises from the dead. He appears to His disciples and commissions them to spread the good news of how He has conquered death.

In Your Life

Jesus came to earth to die and pay the penalty for our sins, and, with His resurrection, to begin His kingdom reign. The way to enter God’s kingdom is by faith—believing in Christ alone to save you from sin. Are you one of His subjects? If so, are you faithfully sharing your King as Matthew did?

Life Lessons from Matthew

Jesus shows you the Word of God is your best defense against the enemy of your soul.
Jesus has conquered the power of death and provides the only path to overcoming it.
Jesus is coming again!

RESPOND

Dear Lord, thank You for preserving Your Word. I love learning about You and Your ways through it. Amen.  

RENEWING RESOURCES [image error]

Bare Bones Bible Handbook by Jim George—Today’s devotion is pulled from this helpful Bible study tool that features tons of information about the people, places, and main points of each book of the Bible.

REFLECT

Re-read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) this week. Write out three things you learned that you didn’t know before.

REMEMBER

Jesus shows you the Word of God is your best defense against the enemy of your soul.

Making Time for Fun in Your Marriage

[image error]Is it possible that you and your spouse need have some fun? To be more playful? To get out there and do something enjoyable together? The married couple described in Song of Solomon were madly and passionately in love. And it was of her husband, the person she walked and visited and played with and had fun with, that this wife said, “This is my beloved, and this is my friend” (Song of Solomon 5:16).

How’s your friendship with your beloved? Are you purposefully and willfully making time for fun? Here are several ideas to help kick-start good times again.

Plan one fun activity a week.

Someone needs to be in charge of the Fun Department, and maybe that someone can be you! Begin your stint as the chief organizer of your fun-as-a-couple time by planning one activity per week. It doesn’t have to cost a lot—or even cost anything. All you have to do is be creative.

Can you go bike riding with a picnic in your backpacks? Or what about getting up early on a Saturday for a walk on the beach? See how many things you can come up with for fun that cost little or nothing (once in a while do something fun that costs a little—something you’ve saved up for). Keep a list going so you never lose a great idea for fun.

Recreate an old date from the past.

Think of something you both enjoyed in the past and then try to recreate it. How about attending a college football game? Did you spend time together running 5Ks? Or visiting a favorite restaurant—whether a fancy place or a greasy spoon? Whatever it is, it’s a part of your past. So revisit it and keep the memory alive.

Recreate your honeymoon.

Maybe you will and maybe you won’t be able to actually recreate your honeymoon. But you can definitely pull out your wedding photos or watch your wedding video while enjoying a small cake.

Make each anniversary unique.

Each anniversary is a milestone. That’s one more year of being together that you can celebrate! Don’t wait for your busy husband to come up with a plan for this unique day. Give the children an early dinner and an early bedtime, and then have a special meal for just the two of you. And then plan for a special time of intimacy.

And here’s another factor. Very few couples can actually celebrate their anniversary on the actual date. Decide that that’s okay. It’s not the date that’s important—it’s the celebration of another year of marriage that is. So work around commitments and responsibilities and family obligations. Just be sure you celebrate somehow and in some way.

Choose a couples hobby.

I’m sure you can think of a multitude of potential couple hobbies—biking, camping,

chess, and photography are some examples. Experiment and choose what you would like to be yours as a couple. Find a hobby that you both can participate in and enjoy with a minimal amount of training. Remember, some hobbies become more enjoyable as you get better at them or take a few classes together.

Make a list of things you’ve always wanted to do.

What have either of you always wanted to do that can be done together? Pick one. Was it your idea? Then you are in charge of making it happen. Visit that old, musty, used bookstore downtown that has always intrigued you. Then enjoy a cup of coffee at the coffee shop. Take a picnic to a city park.

These are little things...but you can also put some big things on it too, such as having someone take a picture of the two of you at the top of the Eiffel Tower, climbing a local mountain together, redoing your kitchen, …Wow, what fun the two of you will have making your list—a list that spans the globe and unites your hearts...even if you never actually do most of the things on it!

RESPOND

Dear Lord, please spark my heart and my husband’s heart to want to have fun together again. Remind us of the good times we used to have and give us a desire to delight in spending time with one another again. Amen.  

RENEWING RESOURCES [image error]

A Couple After God’s Own Heart—Enrich your marriage and enjoy life together by developing better ways to communicate and drawing upon God for strength with this book for couples and the accompanying study guide.

REFLECT

What did you and your husband do on your first five dates? Are they activities you can recreate and do together now? 

REMEMBER

Purposefully and willfully making time for fun.

Making a House a Home

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I faced a real homemaking challenge when our family served as missionaries in Singapore. Over there, we lived in concrete houses—walls, floors, and ceilings. (In fact, when we cleaned the house, we just hosed it down!) There on the equator, far away from all my family and friends, I “built” our home, giving it all the touches of warmth and love I could (Proverbs 14:1).

Then, returning to the United States, we moved four times in two months, sleeping in sleeping bags on the floor in two of those places. But each place was home because I was determined to make it one!

Maybe your home is hardly ideal. Let’s consider some of the places our sisters in the Bible called home. Mrs. Noah managed an ark. Sarah was queen of a tent. Esther lived in a palace in a foreign land. No matter what type of home or how often the place you live changes, you are the one with the beautiful heart who makes your residence a “Home, Sweet Home”!

Making Your House a Home
Pretend you’re a visitor.

What would a guest notice? What mood does your home invite? What pleases you and what would you like to improve? As the maker of your home, you are in the position to create a welcoming atmosphere and beautiful environment. 

Plan home improvements.

What repairs have you been putting off? What do-it-yourself projects are you working on? Right now I’m hunting for red paisley sheets to make into curtains for my office. Remember, not all home improvements cost money. Some of the most dramatic ones come from cleaning, removing clutter, adding flowers in a vase, or rearranging furniture.

Pass it by your husband.

Be sure—with your husband and your bank account—that now is the right time to spend money on your home decorations and projects. After all, God’s beautiful woman knows how to wait (Proverbs 19:2).

Put in some overtime—at home, not at the office.

Set aside a Saturday or an evening or two for a home-improvement project.

Wherever home is for you, it’s an expression of you—your virtues, your abilities, your love. You control whether it’s clean, organized, and orderly. You also choose your favorite colors, styles, and moods. You may not be able to determine the kind of home you have, but you can determine its beauty.

RESPOND

Lord, I thank You for the house I call home. Give me insight and wisdom in making my home reflect Your presence. You are welcome here! Amen.  

RENEWING RESOURCES [image error]

Creating a Beautiful Life—Each new day presents opportunities to grow your faith, manage your work and goals, and make good use of the time God gives you. This book for busy women will help you create a more beautiful and productive life.

REFLECT

What is one do-it-yourself project you can tackle this coming week?

REMEMBER

As the maker of your home, you are in the position to create a welcoming atmosphere and beautiful environment.

Keeping a Prayer Journal

[image error]I know from personal experience that prayer and praying is not easy. Our lives are filled with a multitude of activities that tend to crowd out our times for prayer. How many times have you been guilty of telling someone that you would pray for them? At the moment you heard of their plight, you were deeply moved by their request, and your heart genuinely yearned to be a part of bringing their need before the throne of God. And then what happened?

I’m sure that, if you’re like me, more times than you would like to admit, you forgot about your promise to pray before you rounded the corner of the church building! Why? Because you didn’t write the request down.

So, dear one, you can improve your prayer-life immediately...by leaps and bounds!...by using a list or notebook.

Keeping a Prayer Notebook 
Take Note

Start to carry a small spiral pad with you or use your phone to take notes. Then, whenever someone asks you to pray for them or shares that they are struggling with an issue, and you are burdened to pray for them, write it down, text it to yourself, or record it in notes or your email.

Transfer

Your next move is to transfer the request or need to your prayer notebook...and, of course, to faithfully pray! You can also walk around each room in your home, and log prayers for each person who occupies that room.

Talk to God

To help you do pray, schedule a prayer time each day. You can think about praying. You can talk about praying. You can even pray to be praying! But until you schedule the act of prayer, it probably won’t happen. So tonight, when you plan your tomorrow and make your to-do list, include a time for prayer in tomorrow’s schedule. 

Turn to God’s Word

Pray using Scripture—there is power in God’s Word. Indeed, “the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12)! So make it a goal to incorporate Scripture into your prayers. List three of your favorite scriptures and then memorize them to use in your daily prayer times. If you can’t think of any, begin with Colossians 1:9-14.

In your prayer notebook, write out these and other Bible verses, leaving blank lines to insert people’s names.  I have an old denim-covered prayer book called “Pocket Prayers” that is nothing but Scripture passages with blank lines in the text for inserting whoever’s name comes to mind when praying those particular scriptures.

A prayer list or notebook, although physically only paper and cardboard, is a marvelous spiritual aid to your prayer life. It’s a tool that orders your prayers, helps you remember who and what to pray for, serves as a visual reminder of God’s faithfulness and goodness as He answers your prayer requests, and creates a historical accounting of God’s workings in your life and in others. Start keeping your personal prayer journal today! 

RESPOND

Dear Lord, please help me be faithful to pray for others. I want to be a woman of my word who prays Your Word for my friends and family. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES [image error]

Prayers for a Woman’s Heart – Pick up a copy of this prayer and devotional book to help you grow in wisdom, patience, and peace!  

REFLECT

Pick up a notebook or create one to use as a prayer journal. Then, choose three Bible verses to use as prayer tools.

REMEMBER

“We must begin and end every day with praising God, we must give Him thanks every morning for the mercies of the night and every night for the mercies of the day; going out and coming in, we must bless God.” -Matthew Henry

Mary or Martha?

[image error]Mary and Martha. Why do we love these two sisters so much? Because at times we identify with both of them! Many of us are women on missions, whether home-schooling our children, making carpool rounds, organizing a ministry, or running a business. With such pressured and purposed service, it’s easy to lose sight of our need for passionate worship.

Yes, purpose and momentum are needed. We must be Marthas at times. But like Mary, we also need to pause during our hectic schedules and commune with the Lord. 

Relating to Martha

Do you more commonly relate to Martha’s request for help? She sees her sister thoroughly enjoying the visit from Jesus while she feels compelled to make everything perfect for the gathering. Have you ever hosted a dinner and realized later that you barely took time to enjoy your guests? I think many of us have Martha tendencies, so let’s embrace what Jesus offers Martha.

When We are Weary

Jesus expresses empathy. He immediately recognizes the pressure Martha is under when He says, “You are worried and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41). When we are weary, Jesus sees our trials and our burdens. He knows we are frazzled or frustrated. 

As compassionate as Jesus is, He also leads Martha to the truth. We are to focus on only one thing, and Mary has chosen that one thing—to focus on Jesus and serve and learn from Him (verse 42). There is nothing more important than sitting at the feet of our Lord!

Finding Balance

The Martha vs. Mary pull in us might always take place, but hopefully we’ll learn to place our emphasis on “the one thing”...the right Person...Jesus. When we take time to worship, we discover that communion with God is the starting place of all our service for God and others.

Martha and Mary were so fortunate because they were able to be with Jesus while He was living in bodily form on this earth. Although we don’t get that, we have Jesus living within us, a constant presence in our lives! 

What can we do?

We can reach out in Jesus’ name to someone in need of compassion. We can serve a meal to someone who needs hospitality. We can have ongoing dialogue with God through prayer. We are so blessed! We are in the presence of our Sustainer, and we can take the strength and compassion we draw from Him to serve Him by sharing it with those in our world.

RESPOND

Lord, I want to sit at Your feet as Your disciple and friend. I want to see You smile as I give You praise and share my day. Help me turn my heart to the one thing that matters more than all else...my time with You. Amen. 

RENEWING RESOURCES [image error]

Creating a Beautiful Life—Each new day presents opportunities to grow your faith, manage your work and goals, and make good use of the time God gives you. This book for busy women will help you create a more beautiful and productive life.

REFLECT

Do you take the time to sit at Jesus’ feet each day? If not, rearrange your schedule to make this possible.

REMEMBER

When we are weary, Jesus sees our trials and our burdens. He knows we are frazzled or frustrated.

Dealing With Disagreements - Teen Tuesday

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Would you consider yourself musical? Do you enjoy streaming your favorite artist online? I love music and concerts. Maybe it’s because in junior high school, I played the violin in the orchestra. I like to think that I played fairly well and made a pos­itive contribution to the group and everyone listening in the audience.

But what if I hadn’t spent hours practicing my violin? What do you think would have happened if I’d grabbed my new school-issued instrument, plopped down in a chair on the concert stage, and started playing with the other members? What a racket I would have made! What squeaks, screeches, squawks, and scratches the audience would have endured!

Harmonizing

Playing in harmony in any setting, whether on a sports team, in a band, with a drama club…or in a friendship requires learning the proper techniques. And it demands time as you practice, practice, and practice!

As a new school year begins, you’ll see old friends and probably make some new ones too. In any friendship, we have the opportunity to be encouraging or to say hurtful things. How we speak to our friends will help or hurt our relationships.

Hurting or Helping?

Here’s one thing I’d suggest to you about commu­nicating with your friends, especially if you’ve had a fight:

Don’t just plop down in the chair next to them and blurt out thoughtless or insensitive words.
Don’t post on social media about your argument.
Don’t text or message your friend mean or unkind comebacks or memes.
And don’t talk about it with other friends.

Instead take the time to prepare your heart and your words. Pray about your timing, tone, and topics. Talk with your mom or dad and seek their wisdom about how to handle this situation. Ask God for help with godly discipline over the thoughts of your heart and the words of your mouth as in Psalm 19:14:

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Make it your aim to create harmony in your friendships, especially during a disagreement. Seek to do an excellent job of verbalizing your heart in a godly way and with godly wisdom. Just as you practice for your sports team or music club, put an effort and take the time to learn—and apply—God’s rules for talking with your friends. You’ll be glad you did.

RESPOND

Dear Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES [image error]

A Young Woman After God’s Own Heart—With over 500,000 copies sold, this classic helps teenagers to live God in their everyday life. Gift a copy of this biblically-encouraging book to your daughter to help her navigate school.

REFLECT

Make a plan now to how you will respond to your friends when you disagree.

REMEMBER

Make it your aim to create harmony in your friendships.